Instructions for Setting up a Sioux Tipi (pdf - Nomadics Tipi Makers

Now see photograph 5. One person puts their foot at the base of the N and S poles and pulls on the
tripod rope as the other person walks up under the poles pushing up slowly as they are raised. If you
are alone, raising the tripod by yourself is not difficult. Simply prop a five to six foot pole, board or
ladder up underneath the tie point and then continue to raise the tripod as in photos 5 and 6. Then
while holding the poles in a near vertical position, with the rope in one hand, simply push the north
pole out and away from you approximately six feet and release the tension on the rope allowing the
tripod to sit on the ground. The tripod is now stable and you can begin moving each pole out to its
correct position according to the ground plan. Take the north pole and slowly spread the poles into a
tripod by swinging the north pole away from the south pole and placing the butt of the north pole at
the black dot N in 4. See this sequence in photographs 6, 7, 8, and 9. NOTE: If your clove hitch has
been properly tied there should be a reasonable amount of resistance from the knot as you swing
the north pole into position. You should hear definite creeking and squeaking of the rope as the clove
hitch clamps down on the tripod poles. It should feel very strong and secure.
The tripod is now locked into position. The three tripod poles should be in approximately the position
shown in 4 for N, S, and D as shown on the TIPI GROUND PLAN. At this point you can test the
strength of your tripod by swinging from the tie rope. It should easily support two adults. See photo 10.
Once your tripod pole distances are
correctly set it is best to never move them.
Since the Sioux tipi is an asymmetrical
cone, if you move one tripod pole you
throw the entire set up out of proportion.
S
5
6 7
8 9 10
D
N
S
D
7
N
S
N
D